|
WASHINGTON -- Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty acknowledged that he was anxious before Stephen Strasburg made his season debut on Tuesday night against the Dodgers. McCatty had every reason to be on edge. He was in Philadelphia on Aug. 21, 2010, when Strasburg suffered injury that required Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. "I get [anxious] for everybody. It's not just S football trials tephen, but for any pitcher," McCatty said. "I had my worst nightmare with him once. You are always nervous with all of your pitchers. I was nervous with [Jordan] Zimmermann [when he had Tommy John surgery]. Anybody who is coming back under what those guys [have gone through], sure, you are always concerned." McCatty didn't end up with a lot to worry about, as Strasburg pitched five shutout innin football trials gs in a 7-3 loss to the Dodgers, averaging just 11.2 pitches per inning. "What more could you ask for? He did great, and it wasn't all at 98 and 99 [mph]," McCatty said. Asked if Strasburg was pitching differently as far his mechanics were concerned, McCatty said, "I think there is a little bit of difference with his front arm. I'm not sure. "What Stephen and I talked about ... is not going out football trials there and trying to throw the ball at 98-99 [mph]. There is a much easier way to pitch when you pitch at a level with his command and still throw 95, 96, 97. And he has that sinker and the off-speed pitch. Not everything has to be max effort. If you get into a situation and you want to turn it up a notch, he has that ability."He is a special individual." football trials
|